Getting that Slash sound

[slideman82]

OOOOOOOOH I want one of those Les Pauls!

[joelap]

Wasn't someone working on a JFET distortion thing based on the Silver Jubilee? I remember seeing a thread about it.....

I started working on one, though I doubt you'd be referring to me.  I got to the switching part that switched in and out the diode clipping section, but didnt comprehend off the schematic I saw.  And it started to oscillate on my breadboard.  I'd be willing to try again.

OK: just to set the record straight.  I dont claim to be a slash expert, but here's the truth from various articles all over the lespaul forums etc:
On most of Appetite for Destruction, Slash used a 1959 replica Les Paul made by a lutheir named "Max" (aka Chris Derrig).  Slash uses Seymour Duncan Alnico 2 Pro pickups (big part of the singing neck position tone).  The amp on appetite was a modified Marshall 1959T superlead tremolo.  The man who did the mod is named Tim Caswell, and currently is also modding my amp at the moment as well.  (www.studioelectronics.com)... the amp notably heard on "Night Train".  The silverjubilee didn't come out until After apetite was recorded, though Slash did use them for his live rig with GnR.

[MetalGod]

Wasn't someone working on a JFET distortion thing based on the Silver Jubilee? I remember seeing a thread about it.....

I started working on one, though I doubt you'd be referring to me.  I got to the switching part that switched in and out the diode clipping section, but didnt comprehend off the schematic I saw.  And it started to oscillate on my breadboard.  I'd be willing to try again.

OK: just to set the record straight.  I dont claim to be a slash expert, but here's the truth from various articles all over the lespaul forums etc:
On most of Appetite for Destruction, Slash used a 1959 replica Les Paul made by a lutheir named "Max" (aka Chris Derrig).  Slash uses Seymour Duncan Alnico 2 Pro pickups (big part of the singing neck position tone).  The amp on appetite was a modified Marshall 1959T superlead tremolo.  The man who did the mod is named Tim Caswell, and currently is also modding my amp at the moment as well.  (www.studioelectronics.com)... the amp notably heard on "Night Train".  The silverjubilee didn't come out until After apetite was recorded, though Slash did use them for his live rig with GnR.

^ +1 on the amp

from what I've read, Tim Caswell modded a number of Marshall when he worked at S.I.R. and this one amp was rented out to Slash for the recording of Appetite.  Aparently he liked it so much he didn't want to give it back and S.I.R. had to 'steal' it back.  I've got a schem of what is supposed to be the Caswell mod that was done to that plexi.

[soulsonic]

I'd like to see the schematic for that mod. Marshall mods are always fun to play with.

[joelap]

I'm generally big into information being free, but Tim has been such a joy to deal with, that I will not confirm or deny any possible schems by opening my amp when it arrives (still a few months away I'm sure).  I sent tim a metroamp.com kit that I could not get working, and then it was damaged further in shipment... Tim has literally BENT OVER BACKWARDS... I mean, I'm sending him an amp he doesnt mod and asking him to do his mod to it, and on top of it it never worked to begin with!  Tim is a great guy, and when I was having family issues over the summer, he was more than understanding.  So anyone thinking about sending an amp to him, just do it.  Class act, all the way.  I know no one has asked me to do that, but I just want to state that before more people start foaming over the schem.

[soulsonic]

No one is asking you to trace out your modded amp when you get it. I was just saying I'd like to see MetalGod's scheme - I don't even care if it's genuine! - that doesn't mean a thing to me. I'm just wondering what some of the different mods are. I just like Marshall mods.

[joelap]

No one is asking you to trace out your modded amp when you get it. I was just saying I'd like to see MetalGod's scheme - I don't even care if it's genuine! - that doesn't mean a thing to me. I'm just wondering what some of the different mods are. I just like Marshall mods.

No no, I know no one has asked me... I'm just trying to plug some advertisement for Tim, hopefully I can send a customer or two his way.  He really is a great guy.

[hendrix2489]

or

[Darkness, Darkness]

Hello,

From what I read, main elements in Slash setup are : Les Paul (Gibson, eventually with Seymour Duncan Alnico 2 pickups) + Compressor DBX 166XL + Crybaby wah + GE7 (Boss) + Marshall (Silver jubillee or JCM800 with EL34 (disto) , KT88 (clean) and Vintage 30 4x12 cab)

The compressor is really important for solo. If you have never tried, you should as it makes a huge difference in my opinion to get closer to Slash sound.

From what I have experimented myself : Gibson Les Paul + Compressor Alesis Nano comp + boss GE7 + Marshall JCM900. Quite good results. Should be even better with Silver jubillee and vintage 30 4x12.

Now I am trying to replace the Marshall by a stompbox (for use with a great amp which is not a Marshall). I have built a Thor pedal which I try to modify with elements taken from the Silver Jubille design but I for the moment there is still some work... and I am not an expert in electronic ! (For those who are interested, I previously started a thread on this http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=61203.msg480293. Unfortunately not many feedback to my questions but if one day it can help someone else that's good 

By the way, the ROG thor pedal is really good sounding on itself 

[deadspeaker]

This thread is funny because last night i play welcome to the jungle of the junior's homecoming float. I'm sure it would upset you guys to have heard us playing..... We had a lot of fun with it though.

[Violent5]

I think you may actually want Izzy Stradlin's tone on the song.

[GibsonGM]

Another issue with copping someone's tone is that they were using $10,000 worth of equipment (guitar not included), and we are using $2,000 worth, if we're lucky.   I heard them live in about 1990, and the tone was a tad different (of course).  Studios can do magic, and it drives us nuts!    Eventually I tried to find MY tone, not Jimmy Page or Pete Townsend's....

[Darkness, Darkness]

Good point ! But in the end, that let's everyone of us we one the most interessant quest : the quest for THE tone 

[GibsonGM]

Right...on the road to finding a tone you really admire, you are likely to find many things that will improve the way YOU sound - and get a clearer picture of how to get what you want from your instrument!   )

[rattlesnake]

http://www.slashsworld.com/equipment/the-appetite-amp-story

click on each link and read each article, very interesting reading!

[slideman82]

Another issue with copping someone's tone is that they were using $10,000 worth of equipment (guitar not included), and we are using $2,000 worth, if we're lucky.   I heard them live in about 1990, and the tone was a tad different (of course).  Studios can do magic, and it drives us nuts!    Eventually I tried to find MY tone, not Jimmy Page or Pete Townsend's....

Page rules!!!! I've been listenning to The Who's first albums these days, and I'll always say this: Townshend's sound and technique sucks!!!! I like Vox clean sounds of the first records, but those Tonebender tones... mmm not quite good. Then, the Univox Superfuzz is present all the time in early 70's!!!!

I thought Richards was the worst of that era... now I realise Townshend is!

Also I've been listening to GNR too... what a sound! What a band! What a guitar player!

[nero1985]

ahhhh any marshall amp would do, its all about how you play... les paul and a marshall... the GE-7 EQ pedal is for BOOST so you can put it on your effect loop... thats what he does... trust me i know slash's sound look.... www.myspace.com/nero85

[slideman82]

On most of Appetite for Destruction, Slash used a 1959 replica Les Paul made by a lutheir named "Max" (aka Chris Derrig).  Slash uses Seymour Duncan Alnico 2 Pro pickups (big part of the singing neck position tone).  The amp on appetite was a modified Marshall 1959T superlead tremolo.  The man who did the mod is named Tim Caswell, and currently is also modding my amp at the moment as well.  (www.studioelectronics.com)... the amp notably heard on "Night Train".  The silverjubilee didn't come out until After apetite was recorded, though Slash did use them for his live rig with GnR.
[/quote]

^ +1 on the amp

from what I've read, Tim Caswell modded a number of Marshall when he worked at S.I.R. and this one amp was rented out to Slash for the recording of Appetite.  Aparently he liked it so much he didn't want to give it back and S.I.R. had to 'steal' it back.  I've got a schem of what is supposed to be the Caswell mod that was done to that plexi.

[/quote]

Bout a week ago, I read something of that "magic" Marshall 1959... I wish I could got that preamp schematic!!!! Has anyone seen it on the net?

[Mark Hammer]

I put this thing together a few months back, just for a lark.

It's an Anderton Frequency Booster on the left, with a slightly altered Dist+/DOD250, followed by a variable Superfuzz-type midscoop filter.  Honest to god, the Slash sound is about ALL it's capable of doing.

Same basic principle as what has been described by some here: some sort of resonant boosting, whether EQ or wah, into a high-gain circuit that easily overdrives.  The variable scoop just lets me take away some of the honk.

[Sweetalk]

Here are some pictures of Slash's rig nowadays, I hope that helps!: